Our Experts

Former Senior Science Advisor, Grocery Manufacturers Association
Thermal Process Authority

Has been involved with canning and thermal processing for over 30 years.

• A Process Authority for acid, acidified foods and low-acid canned foods
• Experienced in working with a variety of equipment including retorts, hot-fill hold work, atmospheric pasteurizers and aseptic equipment
• Served on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists

Senior Research Engineer
JBT Process Technologies Laboratory Madera

Holding an MS in Food Science, Karen has been a member of JBT’s Process Authority Group since 1994.

• A member of the Board of Directors for the Institute For Thermal Processing Specialists
• Has taught Better Process Control School and was a contributing editor for the 9th edition of “Canned Foods”, the book which accompanies Better Process Control School
• Experienced with a wide range of sterilization equipment including hydrostatic, continuous rotary, water spray, water immersion and more

VP, Consulting, Intertek Alchemy

Jeff currently serves as VP of Consulting at Intertek. Throughout his career, Chilton has consulted with hundreds of food manufacturing firms to develop and enhance their food safety and quality programs.

• Over 30 years of experience in the food industry

• Expertise in Food Safety, Workplace Safety and Leadership
• Certified Lead Instructor by the International HACCP Alliance & FSPCA
• Certified SQF Consultant previously Certified SQF Auditor
• Top Ten 2024 FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food Lead Instructor
  In recognition of the number of participants trained & issued FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food certificates between August 15, 2023 and August 15, 2024.
• 2023 FSPCA 1000 Club
  In recognition of training 1000 or more participants, cumulatively in the four FSPCA training curricula, with FSPCA certificates issued.

Director of Technical Services, Intertek Alchemy

Jorge currently serves as Director of Professional Services for Intertek Alchemy.

• Certified SQF and FSSC auditor, consultant and trainer
• Approved Training Provider (ATP) for BRC on Storage & Distribution and Food Standards
• Certified Basic and Advanced HACCP trainer
• Certified Lead Instructor for PCQI and FSVP
• 20+ years of consulting and auditing experience, helping companies in 30+ countries and a variety of food industry sectors

Sr. Environmental Safety & Health Consultant, Intertek Alchemy

Rick is an experienced former auditor, EHS consultant, and trainer.

• 25 years of experience across industries—from food production to automotive and aerospace manufacturing
• Formerly served as Intertek’s Green Services Associate Program Manager
• Certified management systems Lead Auditor with experience across the ISO and OHSAS spectrums

Director, Food Protection and Defense Institute, University of Minnesota

Dr. Jennifer van de Ligt serves as the Director of the Food Protection and Defense Institute and as Associate Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota.

• Focuses on building collaborations to advance food and feed security, safety, defense, and supply-chain resilience

• Director of the Integrated Food Systems Leadership program, an online learning program dedicated to improving the leadership and systems thinking capabilities of early to mid-career professionals affiliated with any aspect of the food system
• extensive background in animal feed and human food production, nutrition, modeling, and regulations, with academic, industry, and global perspectives

Senior Advisor, Food Protection and Defense Institute, University of Minnesota

Dr. Kircher is the Senior Advisor of the Food Protection and Defense Institute (FPDI), a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, and an Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota.

• Leads a talented staff and coordinates a research consortium of experts dedicated to protecting the food system through research and education

• Current research includes identification and warning of food disruptions through data fusion and analysis

Senior Rabbinic Field Representative, Orthodox Union (OU Kosher)

• Over 20 years of tenure in the kosher industry
• Experience includes food production and pharmaceuticals in a variety of capacities

• Graduate-level studies in Jewish, specifically kosher, law

VP Food Safety & Global Alliances, Intertek Alchemy

Laura Nelson serves as Vice President Food Safety & Global Alliances at Intertek Alchemy. She has over 25 years of experience implementing food safety and quality control programs for processing, packaging, food service, and retail operations. She has worked with global retailers and manufacturers in the implementation of their GFSI certification programs. Prior to Alchemy, Laura managed Silliker’s South Region food testing laboratories, implemented ISO 17025 requirements, conducted GMP and HACCP audits, and trained food safety auditors.

Her hands-on experience in testing food products has assisted food companies in the successful implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMP), quality assurance, and HACCP programs. Laura is a graduate of University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology.

Director, Content and Industry Strategy, Intertek Alchemy

• 30 years of experience in the food industry at companies like ConAgra, Kellogg, and Sara Lee.
• Helps Intertek Alchemy to create world class workforce development solutions for large, complex operations within the food industry
• Held positions in food safety, quality assurance, sanitation, and plant regulatory affairs.
• Accolades include Safe Quality Food Institute’s Outstanding Achievement Award and Food Logistics’ 2016 “Champions of the Supply Chain”

Principal & Founder of Cultivate SA

• Holds a Ph.D. in Culture Enabled Food Safety from the University of Guelph, Canada and a Master in Mechanical Engineering from SydDansk University, Denmark.
• Published Author and Speaker.
• Has worked in the food safety sector for over 18 years since she started at Maple Leaf Foods in 2004.
• Chaired the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) technical working group “A Culture of Food Safety” and the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) professional development group “Food Safety Culture”.
• Currently the technical author on the BSI PAS320 “Practical Guide to Food Safety Culture.”
• Currently a visiting professor at the University of Central Lancashire, UK.
• Serves as vice-chair of the IFPTI board and as director on the STOP Foodborne Illness board.

Senior Technical Manager, SQFI

Kristie Grzywinski is the Senior Technical Manager for the Food Marketing Institute’s Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute. She is a passionate member of the International Association for Food Protection and the Association for Women in Science.

• Responsible for delivering education solutions for SQF professionals, including SQF practitioners, consultants and auditors in support of SQF Institute’s globally-recognized food safety and quality management standard
• 11 years working with the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe® training program

HR Leader, Nortera Foods

• Created Bonduelle’s new hire orientation program used to onboard approximately 100 seasonal workers during the processing season

Director, Campbell Institute, National Safety Council

John Dony is the Director of the Campbell Institute, the global environmental, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S) center of excellence.

• Sets Institute vision and strategy and develops leading-edge research, event, partnership, and outreach initiatives
• Works closely with EHS&S, operations, and thought leaders at over 40 member organizations and partners to share best practices and lessons learned around the world